TV aerial v satellite?

VWSprout
VWSprout Forum Participant Posts: 10

We have a 2 year old Coachman Vision fitted with a high gain, omni-directional aerial. It is a stick type aerial that you see on cars. We have a TV with free view. Our TV reception seems to be very hit and miss. In worthing we get full signal and all channels. In Cheddar we could not get any signal, although vans around us could. Now in South Wales we cannot get any BBC channels, although the TV has picked up over 100 channels. We bought a small One For All booster from Argos and that has not solved the problem. When we asked yesterday in a caravan accessory shop about our aerial, they said that as our caravan is young, the aerial is about as good as it gets! 

We do not know if we need to get a different aerial and put it on a pole and clamp to the jockey wheel? Or do we go down the satellite and freesat box route? We don't want to keep paying out to try to sort a problem, we want to get the right kit for the job. We are not solely dependant on watching tv but it would be good to have the choice.

any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

Comments

  • ChrisRogers
    ChrisRogers Forum Participant Posts: 435
    edited August 2017 #2

    Our Avtex TV has freeview and free to air tuners as standard, most of the time the TV gets a good signal with the Avtex 'stick' on the top, if not just set up the sat dish, only takes 5 mins or so.

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited August 2017 #3

    Same aerial as you on Coachman caravan and same problem of hit and miss reception but we have a small suitcase type satellite freesat kit which we have used for nearly ten years. We can generally get good reception in this country once I learned how to lock on to the right satellite. At first I found it a chore and took a lot of time but provided there are no obstructions such as tall trees in direct line to the satellite I can now set it up very quickly. I have to admit there are a number of sites where I can only get to the satellite on certain pitches and on some sites like Clumber Park and Haycraft  it is very difficult. Ours is an inexpensive kit which was recently available at Aldi for about £70. You can spend a lot of money on more sophisticated satellite systems and still have difficulty on some sites with tall trees.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,374
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    edited August 2017 #4

    We never got on very well with the omni directional one on the other van. Whilst the directional Status aerial on our current one seems a lot better. However, how much of this is due to the aerial and how much to the digital change over, I am not sure. Certainly at home the signal strength is much better since we went digital.

    On most club sites where the signal is poor there is a loop system, which you can connect to with a 25 m coaxial lead.

    A satellite system need not cost the earth and is a useful back up. Tripod, dish and coax about £50. Freesat decoder, if not built into your, TV around £40 / £50.

    Another thing to remember is that in more remote areas, although the signal may be good, the repeater transmitters do not carry the full spectrum of freeview channels. Often in these locations you only get the main ones and loose out on things like film4, cbs, Dave and Pick.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,374
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    edited August 2017 #5

    A directional aerial is more likely to receive a better signal than an omni directional one as it concentrates fully on receiving signals from one direction and I would totally disagree with the chap in the shop who said the stick aerial is as good as it gets.

    The drawback with satellite systems is that you need to be clear of trees and other obstructions to pick up the satellite signal and it is more to carry and set up. 

  • lesbunny
    lesbunny Forum Participant Posts: 133
    edited August 2017 #6

    Bosha, your cheapest option is the aerial on a pole solution, but this may still not get you a clear picture in all scenarios. Fleabay usually has the "satellite in a case" for sale & I have used one of these in the past successfully. I'm afraid the only way to cover all eventualities is to carry:

    1, a directional aerial.

    2, a 25 mtr coaxial cable to hook up to on-site looped TV.

    3, a satellite system of some kind ( there are many but if you caravan abroad you may need the larger sized dish ).

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,097
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    edited August 2017 #7

    On our last caravan we had a Status 530 aerial which I felt worked really well when digital TV was up and running. However we also had a satellite system mainly to allow us to get UK TV in Europe. The problem with satellite set ups and aerials on poles you have to store them whilst travelling. When we changed to a motorhome one of my treats was to have an automatic system fitted on the roof and that is so... easy but expensive.

    David

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited August 2017 #8

    2 years ago (probably June) I was on a CL near Wellingborough. Chap on a nearby pitch asked what my TV reception was like on that site. He said that he had been on three sites with his new caravan and stick aerial and that it was useless.We don't watch TV when on holiday and on that occasion I was on my own and I abhor TV generally. However the set was set up as I intended to sit with a double of Malt later and watch a DVD. The directional aerial on our caravan picked up loads of channels. 

  • richardandros
    richardandros Club Member Posts: 2,799
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    edited August 2017 #9

    We have the Status directional aerial in our Barcelona and with the built-in amplifier, I find it gives near perfect reception in all parts of the country. On the odd occasion I can't get a signal, I use an Avtex TV / satellite system with "Easyfind" technology which makes finding the satellite really quick and simple.  Originally, I went down the 'cheap 'n cheerful' path with a TV and satellite dish from Aldi - but it was rubbish and went back. The Avtex solution is expensive - but it works!

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,499
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    edited August 2017 #10

    We have an omni and a satellite system. We mostly use satellite (Freesat) but if we cannot get a signal, we try the we search the terrestrial band using the omni. There are only very very few occasions when we cannot get a signal. Suplement your existing system with Freesat.

    peedee

  • ColinReed59
    ColinReed59 Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited August 2017 #11

    Does anyone have any advice on which portable satellite system to buy, with a satellite dish on a tripod. They vary so much in price from £100 up to £1000. I have seen them on eBay but have no idea which would be suitable 

     

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,374
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    edited August 2017 #12

    It depends to an extent on where you want to use it. The small dish suitcase type, often available from the likes of Aldi at very reasonable prices, are adequate throughout England / Wales. However, for the far north of Scotland, or the northern part of France a larger dish is required. Much larger if you want to use freesat further south. In this respect a tripod is good as it enables you to mount various dishes on it depending where you are going. Tripod about £50, small Sky dish £25 for England / Wales, larger Sky dish for northern Scotland and northern France £30. Personally now you need an even larger dish further south, I would not be bothered, although you could buy an 85cm, which should work in the Provence. Obviously only take the one dish, which ever is required for your furthest point. On top of this if your TV does not have built in freesat, you need a freesat decoder about £40 / £50. Plus of couse a length of coaxial to cable it up and possibly a sat finder to help tune it in. However, as long as you set the box up before leaving home, this is not essential.

    On our current van we have a dome, cost over £1000, auto tunes to the satellite and will work from northern Scotland to northern France. However, it has been more trouble than it is worth, keeps breaking down requiring a visit to get it fixed. Of the 3 years we have had it we have only had it working 50% of the time. The other disadvantage is that if you end up under a tree you can't move it like the tripod version. You pays your money and makes your choice but I will have to think long and hard about what option we go for when we switch to a MH.

  • Justus2
    Justus2 Forum Participant Posts: 897
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    edited August 2017 #13

    We have this Maplins portable set.....  https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/hd-camping-and-caravanning-satellite-system-n74ej

    We also bought a satellite signal meter about £10 and a tripod also about £10.... As a novice, it took me most of a day ( at home ) to get it aimed at the correct astra satellite and tuned in etc to get all the required freesat channels.

    On site we can set it up in about 15 mins as it doesn't need retuning again, you just have to find the right satellite, and we have used it from John O Groats to Dorset without problem... trees permitting.

     

  • ForestR
    ForestR Forum Participant Posts: 326
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    edited August 2017 #14

    As I posted earlier we have a very old version of the small suitcase type which for almost ten years has given us good service and I can lock onto the satellite 90% of the time. Twice this year we have been on sites at York and Chester where we managed to get good reception when others with expensive Avtex and Dome systems could not. I tried to help but no matter what we did could not get the signal to l lock even though they had "easyfind" type systems. One even went out and bought some new components to try to solve the problem without success. I think it was all about location and proximity to buildings or trees which are problematic no matter how expensive the system. I do agree that the small dishes only work in UK and you need infinite patience at first until you get used to positioning and aligning the dish.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited August 2017 #15

    When we are on the continent I love watching the Dutch set up their satellite dishes -  very long cables with a dish mounted on a pole pointed at a gap in the trees. I am sure the man of the house does this before fetching water etc. Much more fun to watch the self-seeking dish on a Motorhome or van roof scan the horizon back and forth for 10 minutes before flopping back down in disgust.

    Once set up the Dutch TV stays on all day so they can watch soaps and some obscure football match at all times of the day or night. This is why they all speak English in case anybody was wondering (American films etc.). So I suppose it is educational.

    The fact is, the digital terrestrial signals vary so much depending on the location of the transmitter, elevations, surrounding trees and buildings. Satellite seems to offer more consistency but not guaranteed and is difficult overseas the further South you go so it depends how important you consider it to be.

    I guess I'm old fashioned but in 30 years I have never felt the need for TV, especially as I can record stuff on the Sky box for when I get home.

  • Unknown
    edited August 2017 #16
    This content has been removed.
  • Trini
    Trini Club Member Posts: 429
    edited August 2017 #17

    We have the stick aerial and it borders on useless!

    We couldnt pick up a signal when in Cheddar (Cheddar Bridge site) a couple of weeks ago. Had some success using a Moonraker DTV  aerial stuck on the van roof but nowhere near as good in terms of number of stations & signal/quality strength.

    As other say we have a cable to hook up where on sites it is available not sure tho how good aerials on a mast are and we have found sat dishes frustrating to try and use.

    Pays your money ... as they say

  • DSB
    DSB Club Member, Member Moderator Posts: 5,875
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    edited August 2017 #18

    We manage adequately with our directional status aerial in the UK and have never bothered with TV abroad.  Signal is OK but does vary somewhat from place to place.  We always take a small selection of DVD's in the UK just in case we hit a blank spot.

    Not sure if I really want to be bothered with a satellite - I always worry that we take too much stuff with us anyway.  Perhaps one day we might consider it.

    David 

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited August 2017 #19

    We just use eye tv on iPad never had a problem, all fits in to a match box, Scotland to Cornwall picked signal every time.😎

  • mickysf
    mickysf Club Member Posts: 6,496
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    edited August 2017 #20
  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
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    edited August 2017 #21

    We have a Status 530 aerial which has been replaced by the 580. Works well enough, only having problems on sites that warn signals are weak in which case we wire up to the bollard. Signal not the best in forests!

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
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    edited August 2017 #22

    We've got a Status 530 'point in the direction that all the others are pointing' aerial and its not let us down, though we do occasionally add another 'booster' to help.

    TV isn't important but when we go abroad we take a load of DVDs usually bought in a charity shop. Is there a need for a satellite system? 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,097
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    edited August 2017 #23

    Perhaps a minor advantage of a satellite system over a TV aerial is that it will pick up your local programmes from home. If you are from Scotland or Northern Ireland where they seem to have a different schedule for some popular programmes you may find that an advantage? When I am away I like to keep in touch with our local Look East.

    David

  • reynoray
    reynoray Forum Participant Posts: 106
    edited August 2017 #24

    About two years ago I acquired a brilliant satellite set up.  Sky type dish with sturdy tripod, receiver and alignment device.  I took it away, set it up and watched the British Open Golf  - brilliant.

    It was the one and only time it's been out and sits permanently in the garage.  For me, as good as it was it's too much gear and too much faffing about.  I make do with our omni directional arial which has only let us down about twice in five years.

     

  • VWSprout
    VWSprout Forum Participant Posts: 10
    edited August 2017 #25

    Thank you for all your replies in taking your time to help us. 

    Amazingly after 5 nights the omni aerial suddenly picked up BBC1 for no apparent reason....

    May in the future go down the satellite route but have decided to stick with our stick aerial for now and not put too much emphasise on watching TV - great if it works, great if it doesn't. 

     

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited August 2017 #26

    We use a free standing dish (black Mesh about 60cm) on a small tripod stand which then needs to be set in the direction of SSE  ish and finally tuned in using either a meter or the satelite signal menu on the Sky Menu.

    This is then fed through our Sky HD box giving HD TV and still receiving our local news which seems strange.

    Usually takes about 10 minutes to put the kit together and up to 10 mins to tune.

    Cost £100 from satelite shop

    The self tuning version cost quite a bit more, but not sure how much exactly.

  • onepjg
    onepjg Club Member Posts: 282
    edited August 2017 #27

    Same for us, but we carry a 25m cable to plug into the bollard aerial, if available, just in case we can't get a signal. This only applies on sites like Park Coppice which is so heavily wooded that you would never get a sat signal. The tripod is the most reliable as you can generally find somewhere to site the dish for a good signal. As we use a Sky HD box I swopped the LNB for a twin LNB and therefore we can use the pause, record and planner while we are away. First few times of trying were a nighmare, but nowdays it's normally done within 10 mins, often on the first try. We also use an app (DishAlign) or our Iphone to find the satellite direction, which makes things really easy. I can't say I watch a lot of telly, but its great for the kids in certain weather and if the wife's happy, so am I cool

  • gatewaya89
    gatewaya89 Forum Participant Posts: 157
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    edited September 2017 #28

    Hi Bosha

    Like you we brought an older van had all the aerial stuff in it but its old like the van, So we went into Go Camping shop and brought their TV aerial package for £30 comes with 4 interconnecting poles great for storage as it all splits down aerial in 2 parts which screws together and cable and we can say all season we have used this with great results just put it together connect up and lash it to the jockey wheel and point and your in business and for £30 who needs satellite if I want that I have it at home..lol all you need when on weekend breaks or 2 week holidays is a little of the usual channels for an evenings viewing if your touring the UK mind you if you in tend to tour abroad then perhaps its worth looking at more expensive options?

    Have Fun try not to watch to much tele your on holiday..lol